Vehicle Surroundings Representation Using Multi-Camera Perspective Views
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Solution Overview
Problem
Drivers face challenges with limited visibility due to obstacles like vehicles ahead, which can obstruct their view and increase the risk of accidents, especially in narrow passages or during parking maneuvers.
Innovation Solution
A process using at least two cameras at the front end of a vehicle to record the surroundings, detect objects, and determine if they obstruct the driver's view, then represents hidden information in a perspective view on the windshield or a monitor, prioritizing high-relevance information like pedestrians or traffic signs to enhance awareness and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a driver relies on direct visual information from the nearer surrounding environment, then the driver can quickly perceive immediate hazards, but the field of view is limited and obstacles ahead may be hidden
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces cameras and image processing systems as intermediaries to capture and process visual information from areas not directly visible to the driver. The cameras are positioned to record the surrounding environment, and image processing algorithms generate perspective views that reveal hidden obstacles and information, allowing the driver to see beyond direct line of sight while maintaining natural driving behavior
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms two-dimensional camera images into three-dimensional perspective views that simulate the driver's natural field of view. By processing images from multiple cameras and generating depth information, the system creates a virtual third dimension that reveals hidden obstacles and provides spatial context, allowing the driver to perceive the surrounding environment as if viewing it directly
2Loss of information
If camera systems are installed to provide a larger field of view, then hidden obstacles can be detected, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the camera system to serve multiple functions: capturing forward view, detecting side obstacles, monitoring blind spots, and providing perspective views. The same camera infrastructure is used for various driving scenarios including normal driving, parking maneuvers, and narrow passage navigation, reducing the need for separate specialized systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple camera feeds and processes them together to generate a unified perspective view. Images from different cameras are merged and processed through image processing algorithms to create a single coherent representation of the surrounding environment, reducing system complexity compared to having separate systems for different viewing angles
3Reliability
If perspective views of hidden information are provided to the driver, then awareness of hidden obstacles is improved, but the driver's attention may be diverted from the road
Solution Approach 1:
The patent provides perspective views selectively based on the driving situation. The system analyzes the captured images and only generates perspective views when hidden obstacles or relevant information are detected, rather than continuously displaying information. This localized approach ensures the driver receives information only when needed, minimizing distraction while maintaining awareness
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a process for representing vehicle surroundings information of a motor vehicle, wherein the process comprises the following steps:recording a front surrounding environment of a vehicle by at least two cameras provided on a vehicle front end of the motor vehicle;detecting objects within the recorded front surrounding environment;if at least one object is detected within the front surrounding environment, determining a field of view of a driver of the motor vehicle and making a comparison to determine whether the object detrimentally affects the field of view of the driver of the motor vehicle;if the field of view of the driver is detrimentally affected by the detected object, acquiring information from the recorded front surrounding environment that is not within the field of view of the driver of the motor vehicle; andproviding a perspective representation of the acquired information in the determined field of view of the driver.